New Look at von Neumann's Operator Method in Quantum Statistics. II

Abstract

In this second part of the paper, the quantum-mechanical equation of change with time is applied to an ensemble, and the quantum-mechanical analog of the classical Liouville theorem is derived. The conflict between the quantum-mechanical equation of change of an isolated system, and the second law of thermodynamics is explained. The connection between entropy and the uncertainty principle and the effect of measurement on entropy are discussed in detail. It is pointed out that in quantum mechanics, the uncertainty principle forbids the complete specification of the boundaries of a truly isolated system. The effects of random disturbances at the boundary, within the limits permitted by the uncertainty principle, are shown to cause a rapid spontaneous approach to maximum entropy of any “isolated” system. Applications to quasi-stationary irreversible effects are briefly discussed, and it is indicated how the concept of random fluctuations of the boundary leads to a deduction of the Fokker-Planck equation for irreversible processes.